Parks committee OKs donations, hears updates on Kodiak Park overhaul and CenterPoint Energy work near Islands of Peace

The Anoka County Board accepted several park-related donations and received multiple informational updates from the parks committee, which discussed a utility relocation request from CenterPoint Energy, major improvements at Kodiak Park, recent river cleanups and repairs at Bunker Beach.

The board voted unanimously to accept donations totaling several hundred dollars and smaller gifts to park facilities. Commissioners also reviewed CenterPoint Energy’s prior request to move a utility line across the river and through Islands of Peace Regional Park; the parks committee said CenterPoint subsequently proposed an alternative alignment and asked for rights to construct a small building on county land on the east side of the river, and the county indicated it is agreeable to that request.

Why it matters: utility work, trail and bridge reconstruction, and facility repairs affect park users, wildlife habitat and community recreation access across Anoka County.

Key parks updates: Kodiak Park (Columbia Heights) will receive a suite of improvements including a new picnic pavilion, reconstructed parking, trail reconstruction (planned at 8 feet wide; a 10-foot option was considered but would remove trees), and replacement of the south bridge with a box culvert; plans and community meetings will continue with major construction slated for 2026. The parks committee also reported that 31 volunteers collected 108 bags of trash and 27 bags of recyclable material during recent Mississippi River cleanup events at the Rapids Dam, Mississippi Park, and Riverfront sites.

Bunker Beach repairs were described as under way with a targeted opening in early June. Park staff also highlighted Chamonix Golf Course’s improved performance after officials declined to close the course several years ago. Philanthropic support cited in the meeting included a recurring $500 donation from the Centerville Lions Club and smaller gifts to specific facilities.

CenterPoint Energy matter: about a year earlier the company proposed clearing a corridor across the island at Islands of Peace Regional Park to relocate a line; county parks officials said that approach was rejected because it would have required extensive clearing on what commissioners described as a lightly used wildlife sanctuary island. CenterPoint later proposed an alternative and asked for rights to build a small structure on county land on the river’s east side; the parks committee said it is willing to grant rights for the small building while avoiding the earlier island route. For security reasons, the committee did not publish the alternative alignment details during the meeting.

Board action and vote: the parks consent item to accept miscellaneous donations was moved and seconded and approved by unanimous roll call (resolution number 2025TR14).